Adam Rippon made history in South Korea last month by becoming the first openly gay American male skater to compete in the Olympic Games.

Although he didn't win an individual medal (he helped the U.S. win bronze in the team competition), Rippon's performances and his personality made him one of the more memorable U.S. athletes in Pyeongchang.

As a result, the Human Rights Campaign -- the nation's largest LGBTQ organization -- has named Rippon as the recipient of its 2018 Visibility Award.

“One word best describes Adam Rippon — fierce,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “By being out and proud, Adam is bringing LGBTQ visibility to a whole new level while capturing the hearts of millions around the world with his incredible talent and personality."

“I was always trying to do things to please other people and I wanted to be that perfect athlete,” Rippon told USA TODAY Sports of the time before he announced, through an article in a skating magazine, that he was gay.

“When I finally let go of that and try to just enjoy myself and do this for me. I like who I am and I want to share my personality with everybody. I want to bring who I am onto the ice. Now I am unabashedly myself I am really representing who I am and being true to myself.”

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“At first, I had a few hesitations to come out, because I was afraid of repercussions that it might have. But at the end of the day, I felt like it was important, and it was an opportunity to shine a light on a subject that was bigger than me.

"I know when I was coming out I drew strength from learning about other people’s stories and hopefully my story will do the same for others.”